U.S. Revokes Visa of Brazil’s Justice Minister

Brazil’s government has reacted sharply after Washington revoked the visa of its Justice Minister, Ricardo Lewandowski, as tensions deepen over the ongoing coup trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva made the disclosure at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, accusing the United States of taking an “irresponsible gesture” against one of his ministers. “I wanted to express my solidarity and the government’s solidarity with my colleague (Ricardo) Lewandowski faced with the irresponsible gesture of the United States in revoking his visa,” Lula declared.

The U.S. State Department has not yet confirmed the action. But Brazilian officials said it was not limited to the justice minister. Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing Bolsonaro’s trial and has become a polarizing figure for both Brazilian and U.S. conservatives, also reportedly had his visa withdrawn, along with several other Supreme Court justices.

Lula blasted Washington’s actions as an affront to Brazil’s institutions. “These attitudes are unacceptable, not only against the minister but against all Supreme Court justices, against any Brazilian figure,” he told his cabinet. As a show of defiance, Lula and several ministers wore caps bearing the inscription: “Brazil belongs to Brazilians.”

The dispute comes alongside wider trade and diplomatic strains. According to Brazil, U.S. president Donald Trump has slapped 50 percent tariffs on dozens of Brazilian imports and sanctioned de Moraes, describing Bolsonaro’s trial as a “witch hunt.”

Brasilia insists the pressure campaign stems from lobbying efforts led by Eduardo Bolsonaro, the ex-president’s son based in the United States. Lula went further, describing the younger Bolsonaro’s role as “one of the worst betrayals the country has suffered.”

At the heart of the diplomatic spat is Jair Bolsonaro himself. Branded the “Trump of the Tropics” during his time in power from 2019 to 2022, the 70-year-old faces charges of conspiring to overturn his election loss to Lula in October 2022. If convicted, he could spend up to 40 years in prison.

Bolsonaro denies the allegations, insisting that his prosecution is nothing more than an effort by the judiciary, in collusion with Lula’s administration, to block his potential return in the 2026 elections. He remains under house arrest while awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling, expected early next month.

Concerns over his intentions have mounted. On Monday, prosecutors urged tighter surveillance around his residence, warning that he could attempt to flee. Reports last week revealed he had considered seeking asylum from Argentina’s right-wing leader Javier Milei shortly after the coup probe began. In a draft request, Bolsonaro argued he was a victim of political persecution.